KATHMANDU: Himalaya Airlines has resumed its operations to Dubai on February 14, 2021, after a long gap.

The Nepal-China joint venture airline first took off to Dubai International Airport on April 28, 2017 connecting with Abu Dhabi via free shuttlebus for onwards passengers.

However with increased passenger traffic direct flight to Abu Dhabi International Airport was initiated from March 31, 2019 instead of Dubai, a statement issued by the Airlines said.

After the pandemic, UAE has opened up for the visitors with COVID-19 safety protocols resulting into substantial increase in passenger flow both ways on KTM-DXB-KTM sector, it added.

Himalaya has thus reconnected with Dubai International Airport arriving at Terminal 2 with its thrice weekly service. Kathmandu – Dubai flights are scheduled to fly every Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday and will depart from Dubai on every Monday, Tuesday & Thursday, according to the statement.

Zhou Enyong, President of the Himalaya Airlines handed over the boarding passes to first three passengers along with a special souvenir kit at the check-in counter, the statement said.

“With all the constraints of COVID-19 pandemic, resuming flight operations to our scheduled destinations has been indeed challenging for us,” Zhou said adding, “However, with the easing of travel ban and quarantine restrictions etc., we are all geared up to rebuild our network with UAE, complying with mandatory health protocols of civil aviation authorities and government agencies.”

“We are happy to reestablish the connectivity and hope to serve our passengers with increased frequency,” he added.

Meanwhile, the airline has appointed Hello Himalaya Travel & Tourism LLC., Dubai as its General Sales Agents (GSA) for passenger handling in United Arab of Emirates, who will be responsible for the airline’s sales and marketing, market development, reservations and ticketing services representing the airline for UAE market.